City take a point from Whing’s league leaders

Canice Carroll goes for a header for Oxford City.

Solihull Moors 3-3 Oxford City

Oxford City came from behind twice to hold National League leaders Solihull Moors in a thrilling match in the West Midlands.

They had taken the lead early on through Olly Sanderson but trailed at the break due to goals from Gus Mafuta and Joe Newton.

Josh Parker equalised shortly after half time only for Morrison to put Moore’s back ahead. Josh Ashby levelled late on after a howler from home goalkeeper Tommy Simkin.

The result, more than deserved given their performance, put Ross Jenkins’s side one point clear of the bottom four as they continue their recent recovery.

After losing their first three matches, they bounced back with draws against FC Halifax Town and Maidenhead United, before a superb second-half display saw them beat Boreham Wood 4-0 on Bank Holiday Monday.

Jenkins made two changes to his team from that game, with captain Reece Fleet returning after the birth of his child for Latrell Humphrey-Ewers, who dropped out of the squad, and Tafari Moore replaced Aaron Williams-Bushell. Zac McEachran, who made his return after illness on Monday, remained on the bench.

Solihull had gone into the game top after an impressive start to the season under former Banbury United boss Andy Whing, unbeaten in their six matches. Jack Stevens, who was with Whing in north Oxfordshire last season, was restricted to a cameo from the bench.

The Hoops started well and took the lead in the 13th minute. A corner was headed into the middle by Lewis Miccio, and Sanderson, on his third appearance since rejoining on loan from Fulham, nodded into the back of the net.

The lead only lasted for six minutes. Against the run of play, Solihull won a corner, which when taken found its way to midfielder Mufuta to fire past Chris Haigh.

As the hosts took charge Haigh was kept busy in Oxford City’s goal, getting away with fumbling a save from a James Clarke shot before impressively getting a claw to a header from James Osborne.

Most of Solihull’s attacks were coming down the right side, including the move for the second goal. Jay Benn’s cross found Newton, whose shot found its way in despite Haigh getting a hand to it.

City’s heads didn’t drop though. They had a strong end to the half, with Ashby having an effort saved by Simkin, and barely a couple of minutes into the second half, Parker levelled with a shot from around the edge of the box.

Parker was their biggest threat through the second 45 minutes. He could have done better when he was gifted the ball by a poor goal kick from Simkin, ultimately putting a cross wide when he’d been forced too wide to shoot. He did better with a cross from Andre Burley, bringing a save out of the young goalkeeper.

However, his side would fall behind again with 15 minutes remaining. Just like the first goal it came from a set piece, with Morrison getting the final touch on a corner that came in from the left.

The home fans may have expected victory from there but another mistake from Simkin, perhaps letting the taunts of the away fans get to him, gifted the ball to Ashby. The keeper, who has been called up to England’s under-20s squad this week, could only watch as the City man found the empty net.

Whing’s men had the best chance to win the game late on, a great save from Haigh preventing a Osborne shot from going in, reacting well after misjudging the effort.

4-3 would have been harsh on the Hoops, who had done more than enough in the game to take the point back to Oxfordshire – and perhaps even to nick all three. Next up is the visit of Hartlepool United to Marsh Lane next week. Solihull, for the record, drop to third following wins for Barnet and Chesterfield.

Solihull Moors (3-4-2-1): Simkin; Clarke, Morrison, Stearman; Benn (Kelly HT), Mafuta, Osborne, Newton; Maycock (Craig 60’), Warburton (Stevens 76’); Beck. Unused subs: Owen, Hall.

Oxford City (3-4-1-2): Haigh; Burley, Carroll, Miccio; Moore (Harrison 88’), Kirby, Fleet, Coyle (Williams-Bushell 76’); Ashby; Sanderson (McEachran 70’), Parker. Unused subs: Potter, Fonkeu.

Goals: Mafuta 19’, Newton 28’, Morrison 75’; Sanderson 13’, Parker 47’, Ashby 81’.

Booked: Burley, Parker.

Attendance: 1,146 (68 away officially, but believed to be more).